5 Biggest Mistakes You Make When You Dust

It may feel like a losing battle, but there are a few tricks to keep that dust from coming back so quickly.

Dusting is one of my least favorite chores. Its such a thankless, neverending task. Whisk it away one weekend and, before the next weekend rolls around, your furniture is dust-covered once again. While you cant permanently rid your home of dust, there are some things you might doing that are sabotaging your efforts to zap it.

1. Using a feather duster No question. This tool simply spreads dust from one surface to another. Instead, select microfiber dusters or electrostatic dusters, like Good Housekeeping Seal-holder Swiffer, that grab and hold onto dust. And to ensure they continue to pick up dust, wash or replace them when they get dirty.

2. Overlooking heating and air conditioning vents These invisible grilles on your walls and ceilings are hidden dust magnets. Forget to clean them and the air blowing through them can fill your room with dust quickly. With your vacuums soft brush attachment, take a minute to go over the slats when you vacuum your floor or whenever you see dust accumulating on them.

3. Dry dusting When dust is dry, it easily becomes airborne and is harder to gather and remove. Spritz microfibers dusters and cloths with a dusting spray or polish for easier cleaning and better results.

4. Spraying polish directly on furnitureDo this and you risk forming a filmy build-up on your wood that is difficult to remove and ultimately attracts more dust. Instead, spray your cloth and pass it gently across the furnitures surface. If you prefer to spray your furniture, do so lightly and, after you dust, buff again with a clean cloth to remove any polish residue.

5. Forgetting to change or clean your vacuums filters Vacuum cleaner filters are designed to capture the fine dust and particles the vacuum collects. Clogged filters cant trap this dust and may, in fact, spew it back into the air. Its important to replace or wash any filters as often as your models manufacturer recommends.

TELL US: What's your trick for keeping dust in check?

Carolyn Forte is the director of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute Home Appliances and Cleaning Products department.

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